Wind power under fire as UK misses renewables target

Research by the Renewable Energy Foundation (REF) published today (April 13) claims the UK failed to reach its 10% renewable electricity target for 2010.

The report Renewables Output in 2010 blames poor performances from the wind sector for the drop.

However charity REF, which was once chaired by TV presenter Noel Edmonds, has a history of criticising wind turbines.

In its report its revealed 6.5% of the UK’s 2010 electricity came from renewable sources according to data from DECC and Ofgem.

Even taking into account the fact 2010 was less windy than 2009 the report claims wind power fell.

Over the course of a year a wind turbine will generate about 30% of its theoretical maximum output this is known as its load factor.

In 2010 the report claims onshore wind load factor fell to 21%, as opposed to 27% in 2009, while offshore fared better declining from 30% in 2009 to 29% in 2010.

REF director of policy and research, Dr John Constable, said: “The UK results we are publishing today show, in spite of very high costs to consumers, the 2010 target has been missed by a large margin, and consequently the EU 2020 target is plainly beyond reach.”

Luke Walsh